Close Connections: The Bridge Between Spiritual and Physical RealityBaha'i Publishing Trust, 2005 - 305 pages Close Connections will appeal to anyone interested in spirituality and its link to everyday life. For more than twenty-five years John Hatcher has studied the nature and purpose of physical reality by exploring the theological and philosophical implications of the authoritative Baha'i texts. His latest book explains how the gap between physical and spiritual reality is routinely crossed, and describes the profound implications that result from the interplay of both worlds. |
Contents
The Value of Physical Existence for Essentially Spiritual Beings | 1 |
The Mystery of the Hidden Treasure | 17 |
The Manifestation as Intermediary | 33 |
The Manifestation as AllKnowing Physician | 47 |
The Genesis Myth | 65 |
Evolution as Divine Process | 87 |
The Great Chain of Being | 109 |
How Small Is That Quark? | 125 |
Some Proofs of the Soul | 169 |
Some Distinctions between Mind and Soul | 201 |
Mind and Will | 217 |
The Daily Miracle | 233 |
The Brain as Intermediary for the Soul | 241 |
The Longing to Cross Over | 267 |
Notes | 277 |
Bibliography | 287 |
Common terms and phrases
Abdu'l-Bahá accept according action advancement Answered appear aspects assert associative attributes aware Bahá'í Bahá'u'lláh become beginning belief body brain bridge capacity cause chapter complete concept condition conscious consider created creation Creator demonstrate derived described discover discussion distinction divine effect emanates employ essence essential evidence evolution example existence experience explains expression fact faculty Faith force function guidance Holy human humankind idea important individual infinite influence intermediary knowledge laws light lives macrocosm Manifestation material means memory metaphysical mind names nature noted objective observations occurred organism particular perfect perspective physical reality planet prayer present progress Questions rational realm reflection regarding relationship religion requires response result revealed scientific seems sense Shoghi Effendi social society soul spiritual stage teachings theory things thought true understand universe various wish writings